The Elysium Aesthetic

The Acting Matrix Technique: An Overview

The Acting Matrix is a series of principles, tools, and exercises that shape the artist’s ability to live truthfully under imaginary
circumstances with personal, professional pride.

The ability to live truthfullyto live in a state of readiness; to be fully
present and available in the moment - is fundamental to FEARLESS acting. When present, an actor Lives. They experience. They are free from preparing for the next line,
judging previous moments, and from responsibility and expectation. Like life itself, it is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience, like riding a roller-coaster with your eyes
closed. In today’s world of split focus and diminishing attention spans, it is more important than ever for the artist to maintain an instrument that can receive experienceswithout filter, releasing
behaviorwithout apology. The Acting Matrix develops performative instruments that are healthy and flexible, instinctual and vulnerable, diligently warmed-up for deep artistic
success - consistently producing textured work that thrives in the moment . . . FEARLESSLY.

THE TARGET: Personal warm-ups that always take the actor from the rules of
the "daily body" into the permissions of the Acting Instrument.

COVERS: Intimate awareness of how to strengthen and warm-up every aspect of an actor's instrument:

*Vocal *Physical *Emotional *Imaginative *Psychological

MEMBERSHIP REPUTATION: Entering into every rehearsal & performance with a fully warmed-up
instrument.

As the idea of “good” acting is highly subjective (as with any artistic discipline), it is important to note that The Acting Matrix aesthetic
finds its distinction in the difference between acting (the art of transforming) and performing (technical showmanship). When an artist acts, they are taking ink from a page and bringing to life
a fully textured, subtle and unique life. That art of transformation is what is meant by living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. The Acting Matrix provides the actor
with a clear, organized and distinct box of tools to shape transformation of the actor’s instrument into a fully realized and unique character through access to deep poetic truth. The
fundamentals of the technique come from the philosophy that specificity in craft inspires improvisational life in the work. Put simply, we inspire you to earn it. The work inspires the play.
It is in this ideal that the actor’s full talent is realized, and truth is set free. The Acting Matrix toolbox has a tool to deal with any
professional need – carrying an actor through the first read of the script until the final performance.

THE TARGET: Clear, organized personal toolbox that always transform the Actor's Instrument into the deepest levels of character.

COVERS: Intimidate knowledge of how to unlock raw, poetic truth, and the clarity of
translating any future tool, exercise, technique, or direction into the very best motivator that sets you up for success. But, most fundamentally, the actor masters a tool for
every possible need.

MEMBERSHIP REPUTATION: Utilize the Acting Matrix
toolbox to fill up with character knowings + create diligent Rehearsal Reports from each rehearsal experience.

Acting is a profession where even the greatest talent in the world is not guaranteed a day of work. No matter our abilities, readiness or
know-how, if we are an inch too short or have blond hair instead of the preferred brown, the role will probably go to someone else. In this fickle environment where the actor controls so little,
it becomes imperative as a professional to excel at those things they can – preparation and readiness, ease at collaboration, continued personal and Artistic Growth. An artist needs
their own strong, internal barometer to guide their personal ethics and aesthetic against the raging tempest of the industry. The Acting Matrix offers the actor a framework in which to locate
their unique, Ideal Artist - unlocking consistent work generated withpersonal, professional pride. Through professional dedication (the
acquisition of new tools, the development of individualized principles and daily practices) the Acting Matrix artist ensures continued artistic growth. Beyond simply the studio, the Acting
Matrix professional carries the positive habits of creation into life, being a joy to collaborate with, a person of genuine caring and a leader by example. These attributes endow Acting
Matrix artists with the highest personal and professional success – while inspiring deep, and continued pride in all they accomplish.

Getting To Know: Aaron Ganz

Training

Mr. Ganz holds a B.F.A. in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award, upon his graduation. During his time at
N.Y.U., he trained for two years under Vicki Hart at The Meisner Extension. After graduation, he was given a scholarship to study under renowned Movement Instructor Loyd Williamson at The Actor’s
Movement Studio in New York. Mr. Ganz received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training/ Moscow Art Theatre School at Harvard University.

Professional Experience

As an actor, Mr. Ganz has appeared in numerous New York productions including Off-Broadway with The Pearl Theater Company. Regionally, he has worked with acclaimed companies such as the American
Repertory Theater, the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and the Chautauqua Theater Company. Internationally, Mr. Ganz has appeared in multiple stage productions at the renowned Moscow Art Theater in
Russia.

As a director Mr. Ganz has helmed numerous productions including Romeo and Juliet, Three Sisters (Part One + Part Two) (ECT), Cymbeline, Lady of Shalott, Joan
of Arc, Wouldn't It Be Lovely (Theatrum Elysium) along with The Front Page, Dark of the Moon, Uncle Vanya, A Streetcar Named
Desire, and The Phantom Lady (X Repertory Theater Company).

A sought-after theater educator, Mr. Ganz is the Artistic Director of ECT, author of The Acting Matrix training technique, and has taught acting technique, voice, and movement work at NYU’s Tisch
School of the Arts, The Actor’s Movement Studio in New York City, the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, and was the creator of the X Repertory Theater Company’s Studio XRT in Los
Angeles.